0000000000222568
AUTHOR
F. Thebault
Investigation of self-healing mechanism on galvanized steels cut edges by coupling SVET and numerical modeling
Local cathodic inhibition has been observed on the cut-edge of galvanized steel immersed in 0.03 M NaCl solution using the scanning vibrating electrode technique. The current distribution results indicate that cathodic inhibition occurs in a limited spatial zone located between the cathodic sites on the steel and the anodic sites on the exposed zinc surface. The experimental current distributions are compared with the results of numerical simulations that show the specific diagnostic features for the detection of cathodic inhibition from scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) data so as to distinguish the zero current regions from experimental artifacts due to the lateral resolution …
Effect of the surrounding aeration on microcapillary electrochemical cell experiments
In the microelectrochemical capillary cell technique a silicone rubber gasket is used to avoid any electrolyte leakage between the pulled glass capillary and the working electrode (the metallic tested material). In this study, it is demonstrated that the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is strongly affected by the use of the silicone rubber. Experiments under a surrounding argon gas shielding of the pulled capillary in contact with the metallic surface have been performed showing a large effect on the ORR. Considering the high permeation rate of oxygen through silicone, the decrease of the reaction rate observed experimentally was validated by FEM modelling assuming that the air/silicone/wat…
Predictive Model for Cut-Edge Corrosion of Galvanized Steels
A numerical model for the electrochemical behavior of cut-edge of galvanized steels is proposed. Some experimental data of current densities above cut-edge immersed in a 0.03M NaCl solution have been measured, using a scanning vibrating electrode technique, and compared with some simulated ones. A good fit has been obtained. The model geometry has been modified by decreasing the electrolyte thickness in order to tend towards an atmospheric corrosion case; such situation that is not easily accessible by electrochemical studies. Three regions can be distinguished according to the efficiency of the galvanic coupling to protect steel.
Protective mechanisms occurring on zinc coated steel cut-edges in immersion conditions
Abstract Electrochemical processes occurring on the cut-edge of a galvanized steel immersed in NaCl solutions were studied using numerical simulations, and in situ current and pH profiles measured over the cut-edge. These results clearly demonstrate that only the steel surface remote from the zinc coating is cathodically active, oxygen reduction being strongly inhibited in the vicinity of zinc. This trend was confirmed by local polarization curves recorded on these distinct areas. Ex-situ AES and SEM analysis and cathodic polarization curves in solutions containing Zn 2+ ions led to conclude that this cathodic inhibition was related to the fast nucleation of a dense Zn(OH) 2 film on the ste…
Modeling bimetallic corrosion under thin electrolyte films
A finite element model (FEM) was developed to calculate the potential distribution in the electrolyte in the case of bimetallic corrosion between iron and zinc electrodes, taking into account mass transport of oxygen in the solution. This model was first compared with experimental results obtained by scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) on a galvanized steel cut-edge in immersion conditions in a 0.03 M NaCl electrolyte. A good agreement was obtained between the calculated and experimental current densities. The model predicted the evolution of the galvanic coupling as function of the electrolyte thickness and for various iron–zinc surface area ratios. Different coupling regimes wer…
Reliability of numerical models for simulating galvanic corrosion processes
International audience; Maturity of numerical simulation represents an important issue in the development of predictive models of galvanic corrosion. As widely used in electrochemical engineering, a coupled electrochemical-transport-reaction (CETR) model is recommended to simulate the current distribution above a galvanic corrosion cell made of the cut-edge of a galvanized steel sheet. Nevertheless, simulating current density distributions obtained experimentally by scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) above such a galvanic cell appears to be more accurate using an electrostatic model considering a homogeneous conductivity. In this case, the absence of concentration gradients next …
Influence of magnesium content on the corrosion resistance of the cut-edges of Zn–Mg-coated steel
Abstract The ability of Zn–Mg coatings (with magnesium content between 5.8 and 15.5 wt.%) to protect steel sheets has been evaluated with local electrochemical techniques (scanning vibrating electrode technique, microcapillary electrochemical cell) and rotating disk electrode, and compared with the corrosion protection afforded by a pure zinc coating. From immersion tests of coated steel cut-edges, it is observed that alloying zinc with magnesium leads to a decrease of the galvanic current between the coating and the steel surface, and to an improvement of the steel corrosion resistance after a drying period, due to the presence of magnesium in the corrosion products.
Modeling of Growth and Dissolution of Nanotubular Titania in Fluoride-Containing Electrolytes
In this paper, model calculations of diffusion processes and pH profiles inside TiO 2 nanotubes are performed in order to explore key factors in the growth mechanism of this system in aqueous electrolytes. An electrochemical steady state featured by an equivalent rate between oxide growth and dissolution is reached for a given current efficiency. Electrochemical oxide growth is found to be exclusively located at the pore bottom, whereas chemical oxide dissolution is uniformly distributed over the whole nanotube. It can be deduced from the results that electrolyte resistance or diffusion processes in the electrolyte inside the tubes are not limiting.